Across England, six vanguards are working to improve the quality of life, healthcare and planning for people living in care homes. One in seven people aged 85 or over is living permanently in a care home. The evidence suggests that many of these people are not having their needs properly assessed and addressed. As a result, they often experience unnecessary, unplanned and avoidable admissions to hospital, and sub-optimal medication.

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society have developed this ultimate online guide offering practical support and comprehensive signposting to help pharmacists who are already working in/with care homes or are interested in starting this new role.

Dame Fiona Caldicott, the National Data Guardian for Health and Care (NDG), has published recommendations to strengthen the security of health and care information and to help the public make informed choices about how their data is used.

The use of linked health and social care data to improve outcomes for patients in east and north Hertfordshire is used as one of the case studies in the report.